Until the Sand Claims Us

by Israh Azizi

Two terrifying truths await her:
She must marry the Prince of Death.
And she’s been ordered to kill him.

Yildiz serves as the Southern princess’s bodyguard, but when the princess vanishes, she’s forced to take her place. Disguised as the royal bride, Yildiz enters the enemy palace, betrothed to the Northern prince.

Dayyan is known by all as the ruthless Northern executioner. He’s compelled to serve the shah or else risk harm befalling his family. When he takes the Southern princess as his bride, her fierce spirit and unwavering resilience begin to chip away at the solid walls he’s built around himself.

If Yildiz’s identity is exposed or she fails to eliminate the Northern heirs as instructed by her sultan, it means certain death. If Dayyan succumbs to his growing feelings for his new wife, it will be another weakness that can be wielded against him.

In a land ravaged by war, Yildiz and Dayyan are bound in a union that will forever change the destiny of the Khatatian Desert. A marriage meant to secure peace becomes something more than a mere obligation, and they have the impossible task of choosing between their duty and their hearts.

Until the Sand Claims Us is a Central Asian inspired new adult fantasy romance perfect for readers who crave slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, forced marriage, and the heartbreak of having to choose between duty and desire.

Genres: Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Fantasy Romance

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 9, 2026

About the author

Israh Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and a decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in a quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee.

Reviews

[Jessica Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine running through elaborate palace halls of filigreed red and gold, stepping out onto coarse sand as far as the eye can see, feeling the wind being blown against your face from the ruffling feathers of your winged horse, unsheathing your dagger ready to protect you best friend the princess. Only to find out she's missing and you have to take her place. What does that mean exactly? You have to marry the power hungry and blood thirsty neighbor's son, who also happens to be the notorious Prince of Death...and then kill him. Should be easy for an assassin, right?

And so, begins Until the Sand Claims Us. An enemies to lovers tale of Yildiz and Dayyan in this fantasy romance by Israh Azizi. The pacing is amazing, having chapters that keep you wanting more. And the poetry... yes at the beginning of the chapters are creative pieces all by themselves. The palace intrigue is fantastic, the found family is heartwarming, the culture is rich, and the love story is to die for.

If you are in a reading slump like I was, or if you're looking for a read through in one sitting, this book is my rec.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for my honest review.

[Starfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, romantic, adventurous, and beautifully heartfelt - this was one of those books that completely swept me away!

Until the Sand Claims Us is an intoxicating, tension-filled fantasy layered with secrets & betrayals, a hidden identity, divided kingdoms, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that had me completely captivated.

The relationship between the main characters is what truly pulled me in. Their chemistry builds through lingering glances, reluctant trust, witty challenges, unexpected tenderness, and those delicious little moments when everyone can see what's happening between them except the two people falling in love.

I absolutely cherished the Persian-inspired desert setting and rich cultural details woven throughout. The spices, colors, scents, and tastes were a delightful feast for my senses. The Altizar (winged horses) are a dream come true!

Israh Azizi's writing is beautifully poetic, with so many lines that made me pause just to savor them. This is one of those stories that I couldn't put down, and has become a new favorite!

✨It was truly an honor to read and review this ARC. Special thanks to Israh Azizi, Page Turner Press, Victory Editing NetGalley, and NetGalley.

Spice-free
Content: Vi*lence, M*rder, Animal Companion De*th, S*xual Ass*ult (off-page)

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to review this book

Easiest 5 stars in my life!
Actually, this is a 6 stars read.

I don’t know if I finished the book and the book finished me. Calling it enemies to lovers would degrade the whole experience to just a simple trope. Words cannot describe the yearning that this book projects. It’s one of the most beautiful love stories that I have ever read.

Set in a world inspired by central Asia, we have Shahs and princes in turbans, wast deserts and (winged) horses, women spinning intrigues in harems. I fear I am not educated enough for this but it evokes Tales of 1000 and one nights kind of vibe. The author skilfully introduces different customs that I believe could exist in real life/history (again, I am not educated enough on Central Asia but some things seemed genuine). We are introduced to two warring kingdoms of South and North and the scheming within these kingdoms.

Our FMC Yildiz is a bodyguard to the princess of the South, but when the princes disappears in a crucial moment, she is forced to take her place, pretend to be her and follow the Northern princes as their war captive. Although the younger prince Bahir is set on marring her, she ends up as a wife of prince Dayyan - the older but the least favourite son the the greedy Shah. Dayyan is known as an “Executioner” and “the Prince of Death” for his seemingly cruel and bloodthirsty actions but not everything is as it seems. With passing of time, Yildiz and Dayyan discover each other's traumas and get closer.

I could not put this book down. There is enough intrigue and political machinations as well as yearning that I have never encountered before. If I should compare it to anything, it reminds me Grace Draven`s books - in about 400 pages you have compelling story with great world-building (no info dumping, you learn as the story progresses) and a beautiful love story.
If you are a romantic soul that also love when there is a substance to the story - something that makes you feel with and for the the characters - give it a chance, you will thank me later.

Let me finish by the quote by one obsessive MMC (Dayyan):
“He dared to mark you face. Dared to lay a finger on you. I do not deserve another breath if I do not separate his heart from his chest. No one harms my wife.”

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d first like to thank Page Turners Press LLC, Net Galley and of course Israh Azizi for the opportunity to ARC read this book.

When I first heard about Until the Sand Claims Us, I was so excited, it sounded like a very unique fantasy with political intrigue and enemies to lovers, I was like sign me up right now!!

I will preface this review by saying I did really enjoy this story and will look out for more from Israh, however there were a few points that just lost me a little.

The first being the abundance of side characters that got me quite confused, some even with very similar names that didn’t help me personally keep track of who was who, especially when one or more of those characters seemed unnecessary for the story to flow.

The pacing and world building were just a little bit off, it was very slow to start and then picked up really quickly towards the end. I do feel like more time could have been spent exploring the world that they were in and developing the character relationships.

The last thing would be the notes at the head of each chapter, passages written from what I can only imagine were previous prince’s and princesses of the north and south, but for me they didn’t really relate to the chapter most of the names weren’t mentioned anywhere else in the story and I was just a bit confused, if I’m honest I think about 60% through I just stopped reading those bits because they didn’t add anything to the story.

Reading this back, it seems like I’m being quite negative but I honestly did enjoy this book and would recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy stories with political intrigue.

[Lizzie Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This.book.was.a.blast

Probably the most fun I’ve had reading a book this year. The fight scenes and the dance scenes had me thinking I was watching a movie. I was enamored by this story. The romance, the politics, the “mistaken identities” all of it. Dayyan and Yildiz might be my top two favorite MCs so far this year. Zeki was also written so beautifully. Israh has a talent that frankly I find to be unmatched. Her storytelling is mesmerizing. You truly feel like you can see what she’s writing, as if you’re watching play out just from reading the words across the page. Everything from the minuscule body language changes, to the embraces, and to the aggressive behaviors, I felt all of it. If you’re looking for something unique, set in the desert, among royalty, this book is 1000000% for you. What started as something I thought was just your old fashioned enemies to lovers romance took on a life of its own, in this fast paced, politically charged, bloodbath of a story. Thank you a million Israh for this ARC.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I love a good series, sometimes it’s so satisfying to have a story completely wrapped up in one book.

And Yildiz and Dayyan were everything. 🖤

Hidden identities, a forced marriage, a fiercely protective MMC, and two characters carrying traumatic pasts who somehow become a place of peace and safety for each other.

This was such an engaging, beautifully written story, and I found myself constantly wanting to turn just one more page.

Their relationship had that perfect mix of tenderness and tension, and the yearning? It hurt. In the best possible way.

I loved watching them slowly become each other’s safe place, and getting their whole story in one book made this such a satisfying standalone romantasy

[Monsterful Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

With a dedication like ‘For the Yearners’ I had high hopes for this story. It did not disappoint.

There is yearning, and then there is Dayyan. There is also war, corruption, kidnapping, arranged/forced marriage, magical roots & Pegasus horses, enslavement, murder, betrayal, one bed, stolen glances, star crossed love and declarations of love to make you swoon.

The story of Yildiz and Dayyan is beautifully told, well written and a joy to have read.

[↠ ryli ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true enemies to lovers / forced marriage story. I was hooked from the first chapter. The tension, angst, and slow burn was written beautifully.

Yildiz has become one of my favorite FMC’s.

*Thank you NetGalley, Israh Azizi, & PageTurnerPress LLC for this ARC!*

[HonestlybookedJulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books you enjoy, and then there are books you absolutely inhale. Until the Sand Claims Us was very firmly the second one for me. I read this in a day and genuinely could not put it down.

First of all, this book is dedicated to the yearners, and Israh Azizi really said, “I see you.” The yearning in this book is TOP TIER. Dayyan is now firmly one of my favourite male main characters. He gave me so much Kaan Vaegor from When the Moon Hatched energy, with that combination of tenderness, respect and restraint, while also having the very much “touch my woman and I will end you” energy that we all appreciate. What I loved most about him, though, was the way his relationship with Yildiz was built around genuinely seeing and respecting each other as equals. It wasn’t just physical attraction. They challenged each other mentally, respected each other’s strengths and constantly pushed one another.

And Yildiz? I absolutely loved her. She’s a bodyguard who ends up having to take Farani’s place and marry a prince, and she is such a brilliant FMC. She’s badass without being written as completely infallible. She’s intelligent and street smart, but there are moments where she’s naive, and I really enjoyed that balance. Her dynamic with Dayyan was probably my favourite thing about the entire book. They genuinely did not like each other to begin with, so this felt like genuine enemies to yearners rather than two people who are mildly inconvenienced by each other’s existence. The banter, the arguments, the mental sparring and even the physical sparring were so much fun. And the fact that they actually spent time together and got the chance to properly challenge and understand each other made their relationship feel so much more believable.

Also, the yearning. I cannot stress this enough. There were moments where I was absolutely convinced, “THIS IS IT.” Surely this is finally the moment. And then nothing. The restraint was almost cruel, but in the best possible way. If you are a yearning girl, you are going to eat this up.

I really loved the world too. The Khatatian Desert and the conflict between the North and South gave the story such an interesting setting, and I loved the Central Asian influences throughout it. I got hints of Turkish and even ancient Babylonian influences, which made the world feel very different from a lot of the fantasy romances I’ve been reading lately. There is magic here, but it’s subtle rather than being thrown at you constantly. There are fantastical creatures, including a winged horse, but the fantasy elements are woven into the world rather than taking over the story, and I thought that worked really well.

I also really appreciated the pronunciation guide and glossary at the beginning of the book. With so many names, places and unfamiliar words, having those there was genuinely helpful and made it much easier to settle into the world.

The plotting was another huge win for me. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, something else happened. There were so many twists and turns that kept me invested from beginning to end, and the pacing worked really well for me. I was constantly thinking I knew what was coming next, only to be proven wrong.

I also really enjoyed the side characters and the relationships outside of the main romance. Azizi created a world here that I genuinely wanted more of. By the end, I was sitting there thinking that I could happily have read an entire series set in this world, and I would absolutely read more about Dayyan and Yildiz too.

And yes, we have forced marriage. We have one bed. We have enemies to lovers. We have slow burn. We have banter. We have yearning. We have a badass FMC and a male main character who understands that respecting the woman he loves is actually quite attractive.

I absolutely loved this. Israh Azizi’s writing completely pulled me in, and I will definitely be looking for more of her work. This was different, compelling and ridiculously easy to devour. If you love romance with a fantasy setting, genuine enemies to lovers and enough yearning to make you want to scream into a pillow, you need to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy.

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This romantasy wasn't quite what I'd expected from the blurb, but it's still a perfectly good serving of your usual tricks and tropes of the genre with a hint of YA to the drama (and lack of spice; no criticism, just observation).

Our protagonists are Yildez, disgraced cousin and bodyguard to the princess of the South, and her not-so intended Dayyan, prince of the North. Their kingdoms have been at war since time immemorial over the magical resources on the South can access. When all seems lost for the army of the South, the shah wishes to evoke an old promise of peace between the two kingdoms by marrying his daughter to the Northern heir. Unfortunately, said princess has vanished. Yildez will be sent in her place. And if they do not make peace? She's ordered to kill each and every Northern royal, ending the war in blood. Of course, things don't turn out the way they'd expected. Despite being married to the wrong prince, Dayyan, the "Prince of Death", royal executioner, isn't the monster he seems. Yet the palace is filled with ambitious snakes in the shadows, just waiting to seize their moment.

I appreciated that it was an easy enough story to settle into, with the kind of smooth narration you'd hope for from this kind of book. There's enough detail about the setting to help you feel at home amidst the special terms used to evoke the world's character. Yildez is a tough cookie with believable skills and a past full of secrets and pain. Dayyan is much the same, though tall, dark and brooding with it. Side characters can be as vicious as the desert is beautiful, though there are some rays of light in the younger generation of royals.

It's also not a first in series, but a stand alone novel that tells a complete story. That in itself deserves praise in a world of excessive trilogies. The story doesn't play about, it gets straight down to it. There's one particular plot twist right at the end that felt very cathartic (no, not that one, the one right at the end).

However, I found the plot a tad confusing at times as events seemed to be moulded round the tropes used (the forced marriage to Dayyan rather than Bahir, for instance). As someone who's read a lot of this kind of book, how tropes played out could feel familiar. It could also get a bit more soap opera dramatic than is my taste towards the end, even with some twists being heavily foreshadowed. I wasn't always sure of the characters' actions, especially Dayyan's erratic possessive anger and Yildez reacting to certain events in ways that made her seem a different character.

But I can't lie; it is dramatic and tinged with an original magical mythology. It's got that YA romantasy flair with just a hint of darker things that happen in the world without going into too much detail.

If you like inescapable attraction, forbidden feelings, shock twists in a desert fantasy setting, this could just be the stand alone romantasy for you.

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until the Sand Claims Us is an adult romantasy with heavy Central Asian influences. This dual POV book follows Yildiz, a bodyguard who must mask her appearance and pretend to be her cousin - the princess. In the war torn Khatatian Desert, the North and South fight for dominance over the land and the mystical golden roots that are said to hold immense power. Yildiz is forced into a marriage with a prince from the North, with the ultimate goal of killing him and bringing justice to her nation.

To start, I loved this book! I was enraptured the entire time I was reading, Israh Azizi just kept me wanting more. I was gasping, kicking my feet, putting it down to walk away and come back… I loved the power and strength behind Yildiz. She spoke up and stuck to her beliefs when she felt the most compelled (and willing to face the consequences), but it never felt cringey to me (which I have occasionally found in other books). Her past with SA haunted the pages in just the right way without feeling overbearing or underplayed. I felt like it was handled beautifully and played a key role in parts of the storytelling.

Dayyan was another beautifully complex character. I loved getting to see all the dynamics with his trauma and members of his family. It was so well done in this book, I feel like I haven’t seen something this compelling in recent reads. I feel like Day is humanized so well by his younger siblings which gives Yildiz the chance to really start to see the real him. I loved that we got to see some hobbies of his that helped round him out and made him feel that more real.

The tension between Yildiz and Dayyan built so nicely throughout the book, giving us a taste and then pulling back when we think we’re getting somewhere. I think every time one of them started to pull back, it just pulled the other one farther in - which created a lovely dynamic. Seeing the outside forces play against them in positive and negative ways was so interesting to see. The way they defended each other and found their way around their feelings and back was so well written.

The writing of this book was fantastic. This was my first book by Israh Azizi, but it certainly won’t be the last. The structure, the world building, the characters, the PLOT TWISTS - were exactly what I was looking for in this book and I’m so glad it hit the mark.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, PageTurnerPress, and Israh Azizi for this advanced copy of Until the Sand Claims Us in exchange for my honest review.

[Elizabeth Trites · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It takes heart to know what injustice is. It takes a bold heart to stand against it.”

All the shoutouts and love to Israh Azizi, a skillful Minnesotan fantasy author! I was so excited to get this ARC as a fan of her Heroes of the Empire series.

This standalone, Until the Sand Claims Us, is a compelling dual-POV romantasy set in a fantasy world inspired by Southwest Asia. The MCs, Yildiz and Dayyan, are complex characters that I ended up rooting for (pun intended) by the end. There are several well written side characters as well, but I especially loved Yildiz for her strength, badassery, and compassion. I’m not usually overly invested in hetero romance stories, but we get so much depth and change from both MCs over the book that I truly adored this pairing.

With a more critical eye, the first half felt very trope-y to me. I didn’t find the women of the harem or the icky younger prince to be very interesting antagonists, having encountered so many versions of them in other media before. Yildiz isn’t given a chance for much active decision making for a while, getting captured and threatened and bullied and married off in pretty quick succession. The story really picked up for me in chapter 28, when we get an epic fight scene between her and Dayyan. The plot’s twists kept me turning pages until towards the end, when Yildiz and Dayyan aren’t communicating properly, which I found frustrating. I also felt that the very last two chapters went way too fast, leaving us very little time with the true climax of the story and its aftermath. I also wish we had gotten to know more of the non royal characters; it could have been interesting to know more about the maid Esana’s background, Yildiz’s bodyguard trainers or companions, and how the sultan/sultana plan to make the land more just in the ending.

What I loved about this book is:
1) Israh Azizi’s clear love for the characters and setting pour off every page
2) The romance is developed slowly enough to genuinely make sense and be worth fighting for by the end
3) Our MC Yildiz is a fierce cinnamon roll who (minor spoiler) gets it all - vengeance against the most important antagonist in her life, and a happily ever after

Thank you Israh Azizi for a charming read!

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Behind the Pages for sending me this ARC!

Until the Sand Claims Us is a standalone Fantasy Romance book and it’s everything I love in this genre, I absolutely loved this book!

When the princess she has been tasked with protecting vanishes, Yildiz must take her place by marrying the ruthless enemy prince and her the sultan orders her to kill him. But while Dayyan is the Northern executioner, it quickly turns out he isn’t the unfeeling monster Yildiz expected and with their growing forbidden feelings for each other, they must both choose between duty and love.

This book wasn’t exactly what I expected but in the best way possible and I read it in one sitting unable to put it down. It was dark, brutal, heartbreaking at times and a truly beautiful story, I came to adore many of the characters and didn’t want this book to end. I really enjoyed the setting of this story, most action took place in a palace with colorful descriptions of its inner workings, the life in the harem and court intrigues and I loved learning about all of that. Yildiz was an amazing FMC, she has lost and suffered so much in her life and my heart was breaking for her but she was so strong and clever and I really loved her. Dayyan was the perfect mix of a ruthless executioner fulfilling his father’s orders and a tortured hero struggling with his actions, he was willing to do anything for those he cared about and the ‘touch her and die’ scenes were written perfectly. He and Yildiz were true enemies in the beginning and her hatred for him was palpable and I loved seeing them slowly start to understand and care for each other, the slow burn was delicious, filled with so much tension and yearning and I was rooting for them to find a way to truly be together, despite the constant dangers, and was so happy when they finally gave in to their feelings, their romance was beautiful and I loved their story so much.

Until the Sand Claims Us is an incredible romantasy book that I truly loved, I 100% recommend it to everyone and am excited to read more books from this author.

[taebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

where do i even begin?? 😭🫶🏻
this book didn't just feel like a story, it felt like a movie playing right before my eyes, and somehow i was right there, witnessing every moment alongside the characters 🫠
the writing was absolutely incredible. every reveal, every twist, and every secret that came to light was woven together so beautifully that i couldn't stop turning the pages. the plot kept surprising me until the very end.
SHAHZADE DAYYAN... he has my whole heart ❤️ along with my girl, my princess, Yildiz, they've officially become one of my favorite fictional couples. their chemistry, the quiet understanding between them, the tension, the longing... every scene had me giggling, blushing, and kicking my feet. they both went through so much, and there were scenes that absolutely tore my heart apart 😭
what made their story even more beautiful was that they Yildiz was forced into a marriage with Dayyan despite coming from enemy territories and their motives being so different behind it. watching their relationship slowly grow was everything i could have asked for 🧎🏻‍♀️
and y'all... this book has the "mine" and "my wife" moments 🫠❤️ those scenes alone will have you wanting to jump into the book and kiss him.
and Dayyan... oh my god. he was such a beautifully misunderstood hero, the Prince of Death, feared by everyone, her enemy, yet a man who would burn the whole world down for her without a second thought. he deserves the world 🫡❤️
Farani... what do i even say about you? 😔
i also loved how every side character had a purpose. Bazmara, Zeki, Omid, Delara, and even Bahir were all so interesting to read about. every character added something meaningful to the story, making the world feel even more alive.
and let's not forget about Azarkosh, Barakat (💕) and Wahe too 🫠🫶🏻 - Dayyan and Yildiz's alitizars..
i will definitely recommend it to all the romantasy lovers!!!
but please to check the trigger warnings before reading!!!

[Brie Reads A Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

~All the danger. All the yearning. ~

This is a dark, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in a richly-imagined central Asian world. A body guard pretending to be a princess is wed to an enemy prince and forced to survive in her enemies palace while plotting revenge for the deaths of her people. All while being inexplicably drawn to her enemy. The male lead is morally grey - maybe even black at times - but the author is deft at showing how he lives on a leash wielded by his father and yet does his best to make choices that protect rather than harm. The female lead is fierce, brave, traumatized and also compassionate. I really liked both of them quite a bit! Having both POVs was a delight. I admit that the beginning of the story was a bit of challenge for me to get into - there’s another language woven into the world-building, which is fantastic as it lends an air of authenticity and immersion, but took some getting used to. The writing also felt a little clunky and off pace at times. But as the story unfolded I was *entirely* gripped by it. I loved that the author really made the world intricate and the plot high-stakes. I really feared for the female lead and other characters. Being a woman in this world is not easy - it’s a patriarchal society and misogyny is alive and well. There are dark, realistic themes and sadistic characters that have too much power. There were moments when I teared up. Moments when I smiled like a fool. Moments where I held my breath. The “who did this to you” and “touch her and die” moments were top-tier! There was also winged horses! Honestly, this was an incredible read and I’m grateful to have been given an eARC! It was truly a beautiful enemies-to-lovers story set in a unique, central Asian world. Do yourself a favor and pre-order it!

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enemies to lovers romance filled with danger around every turn, and a MMC who would let the world burn for her.

You follow the FMC, who while being a princess herself, has been forced out of her royal title and instead becomes the bodyguard to her cousin the crown princess. But when on the eve of the crown princess of the souths wedding to the prince of the north to garner peace she disappears, the FMC must pose as her cousin to keep the treaty intact, only the men from the north do not intend to keep their promises and slaughter her uncle and many of those in the palace and take her back north with them. And instead of marrying her off to the crown prince, they instead tie her to the broody older prince whos known for killing her people and carrying out his father’s justice. But not all is as she has been told about the north, and the more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re both trapped in this vicious cycle.

I really enjoyed reading the dual POV and getting to see inside both characters heads, especially anytime there was either a lack of communication or misinterpretation of something that happened. I enjoyed how protective and broody the MMC was and how clear it was that those he cares for like his siblings and his people and eventually the fmc he would do anything for including sacrificing himself. With plenty of reveals and betrayals that happened amongst all the court politics, I was nervous for the pair with each new chapter and was always waiting for the next shoe to drop! It was an exciting rollercoaster of emotions that I just couldn’t put down! Overall this was an exciting read that mixed central Asian culture with the enemies to lovers fantasy romance and tension that I love! My rating 4.6/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[ClaireWilliamsArt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ✨️
Until the Sands Claim Us was such an enjoyable, easy read. It isn't an incredibly complex fantasy, but it knows what it wants to be -a romance-focused fantasy with a vivid desert setting, political intrigue and plenty of yearning and I thought it did that really well.
I especially enjoyed Yildiz and Dayyan's relationship. They're technically enemies, coming from the rival North and South, but Dayyan's actions towards Yildiz quickly complicate that. Their chemistry and tension felt believable, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Dayyan was incredibly likeable - protective, powerful and rather morally. The yearning was definitely a highlight.
The desert setting gave the story a really distinctive atmosphere, and I enjoyed the touches of magic. I also appreciated that the world-building wasn't overwhelming, the focus stayed on the characters and story.
Yildiz was a capable FMC who stood up for herself, although I did occasionally wonder when she was planning to actually carry out the orders she was given, she didn't seem to try. 😂
The conflicts and secrets kept things entertaining without making the plot unnecessarily complicated.
There was one particular misunderstanding that had me internally screaming "JUST TELL HIM!" 😂 but thankfully it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Overall, a well-paced and satisfying standalone fantasy romance. It isn't trying to be an epic, incredibly intricate fantasy, and I didn't feel like it needed to be. A great choice if you're looking for desert fantasy, forbidden love, political intrigue and plenty of yearning.

[Phillipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and PageTurnerPress for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.

Until the Sand Claims US is a Central Asian inspired fantasy romance standalone.

Worldbuilding

The reader explores the Khatatian Desert throughout the story. Sandstorms, hidden oasis, sandy battles, and arena fights are some of the highlights. But it's not a nomadic culture, instead there are elegant palaces filled with royal intrigue as two warring kingdoms fight for the magical roots of power and healing.

Characters

The characters are the highlight in this read. Dual POV's involving the MFC Yildiz, from the South, and MMC Dayyan, from the North is an extremely well written enemies to lovers tale. An arraigned marriage and a lot of forced proximity allowed for great banter between the characters and a smoldering slow burn.

Pacing

The story is very authentic, having incorporated a Central Asian language the author is undoubtably familiar with and beautiful snippets of poems that lead into the focus of each chapter. All of which only enhance the experience of reading and make for an interesting reading pace. Divided into three parts, the book is easily devoured and hard to put down, accompanied with unforeseeable plot twists and "duty over heart" struggles.

Fantasy Elements

If coveted flying battle horses aren't enough to peak one's fantastical interest, there are magical roots of healing that are literally to die for in the Khatatian Desert.

My rating: 5 stars

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There once was a girl named Yildiz who suffered the consequences of other people's choices.

Her father betrayed his Shah and his brother by stealing a valuable root. He had hoped it would save his pregnant wife, but alas... Yildiz's mother died, leaving Yildiz behind without ever having met her. Thus begins the atonement of Yildiz's family. Her father and brother are sent away to war, leaving her behind, vulnerable and defenseless.

Soon, she becomes the bodyguard to Shahdokht Farani, her cousin. When Farani chooses to put herself before the prophecy that has shackled her all her life, Yildiz, once again, is left behind to suffer the consequences.

She's been trained in the arts of combat and has always put Farani first. Now, the Shah, her uncle, demands one final sacrifice: pretend to be Farani and marry the enemy prince to save the kingdom.

Yildiz is such a strong character. She's well-rounded, flawed, and yet so lovable. Every character in this book feels as though they could be plucked from the pages and dropped into the real world. The culture, the art, the poetry, the character arcs, the prose... I loved it all.

The story is remarkably well-fleshed-out for a standalone novel. I could feel the sand in my lashes, my heart thumping with anticipation between chapters, and the dual POV was such an added bonus. It left me wanting more.

Tropes:

- Found family
- Enemies to lovers
- Political intrigue
- Chosen one

I devoured this book. Honestly, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Thebooksisterss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending an ARC for an honest review!
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It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed an ARC, so bear with me while I try to find the right words for this book. 🥹

The character backstories, the yearning, the setting… everything was just chef’s kiss. 🤌🏼

I’ve been in a reading slump for a long time, and somehow this book brought that spark back. It made me want to read again, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I stayed up until 4 AM because I had to keep reading. That alone should tell you something.

Israh’s writing style completely enchanted me. The descriptions were so vivid that I genuinely felt like I was wandering through the palace alongside the characters. Everything felt immersive without becoming overwhelming.

Now, onto the story…

We have a bodyguard and a prince, both carrying their own gruesome pasts and living their lives for someone else. But when fate brings them together, they finally get the chance to discover what it means to truly live for themselves and, perhaps, for each other. 👀

There were moments that reminded me a little of We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, but honestly, that didn’t bother me. The story still felt like its own thing, and I was completely invested in these characters.

And can we appreciate that this is a STANDALONE?! Because after all the series I’ve committed myself to, this was such a refreshing change.

I know this review is all over the place, but if I had to sum it up in one sentence:

GO. READ. THIS. BOOK. NOW.

[Jamie Sadd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to pick this one up because the premise immediately caught my attention. A bodyguard taking a princess’s place in a political marriage set against a unique desert-inspired world sounded like such a fun setup, and I appreciated how quickly the story established the stakes.

The setting was definitely my favorite part, and I enjoyed seeing a fantasy world that felt a little different from the usual medieval-inspired backdrop.

For me, though, I never fully connected with the characters or the romance. I tend to be a very character-driven reader, and I was hoping to become more emotionally invested as the story went on. While the romance had some sweet moments, it felt a bit predictable for my personal taste, and I found myself wishing for more character growth and development throughout the book.

The ending also came together a little faster than I expected, and I would have loved to spend more time with the final conflict and resolution.

Overall, this one just wasn’t quite the right fit for my reading preferences, but I think readers who enjoy fantasy romance with political intrigue, a protective love interest, and a unique desert setting may have a great time with it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read an early copy, and I wish Israh Azizi all the best with the release!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dual-POV romantasy has all the makings of a standout read.

Israh Azizi does an incredible job with the world-building, creating a rich and immersive setting without ever slowing the pace. The political intrigue is woven seamlessly into the story, and I found myself COMPLETELY invested from beginning to end. All the characters felt distinct, with personalities that leaped off the page (for better or worse). I could vividly picture them and almost hear their conversations as I read.

Ya'll.... and then there's Dayyan... oh my word, I absolutely adored him. He's quick-witted, devoted, charming, and just effortlessly swoon-worthy. Several of his lines made me burst out chuckling. Both Dayyan and Yildiz are fantastic protagonists; they're spirited, intelligent, and emotionally layered. Their chemistry shines through their interactions, which makes their banter sharp and the slow-burn romance quite satisfying.

Overall, I loved this book. The storyline, political intrigue, and world-building were all top-notch, and I was completely immersed until the very last page. The only reason this wasn't a full five stars for me is that I went in assuming a bit more spice based on the description. I was surprised to find that it's a closed-door romantasy. However, that's purely a matter of personal preference, so if you love immersive fantasy, compelling characters, and a beautifully developed slow-burn romance, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They say people recognize one another in this life, even when they have never seen each other before. Because their souls encountered one another prior to the Almighty sending them to the world.”

When the princess she has been tasked with protecting vanishes, Yildiz must take her place by marrying the ruthless enemy prince and her the sultan orders her to kill him. But while Dayyan is the Northern executioner, it quickly turns out he isn’t the unfeeling monster Yildiz expected and with their growing forbidden feelings for each other, they must both choose between duty and love.

Central Asian-inspired world filled with desert kingdoms, political intrigue, and immersive cultural details. The world-building unfolds naturally, making it easy to become fully invested.

Yildiz and Dayyan create the perfect amount of tension and yearning. Yildiz is a courageous and resilient heroine whose loyalty and determination shine throughout the story. Dayyan was a nice mix of a ruthless executioner fulfilling his father’s orders and a tortured hero struggling with his actions.

Would recommend this book for those interested in arranged marriages, found family, slow burn romance and character-driven stories. This book was really good! I loved the story and the characters.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Robin.Bookish.Escape · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Without you, the desert is a wasteland. You are my oasis.”

This epic Central Asian inspired fantasy has arranged marriage to the famed ‘Prince of Death’, a bodyguard to the Princess who must take her place, vibrant landscapes and palaces, harems and assassins, winged horses (AKA Pegasus, que the fangirl screams), action and adventure, betrayal and political intrigue, touch her and X with some “mine” vibes, magic and found family, and a romance as warm and dangerous as the sand in the desert.

The writing is absolutely wonderful with rich and colorful descriptors that will have you feeling the sun on your skin and the sand beneath your feet. The character dynamics are equally as beautiful and vast, creating relationships that are emotional and complex filled with stolen glances, rising tension and swoon worthy romance (no spice). After reading Israh’s other series, Heroes of the Empire (if you haven’t read it, you are missing out!), this book was an immediate yes for me and it defiantly did not disappoint. The little bit of lyrical poetry in each chapter was an extra special treat. I truly had a difficult time putting this one down. This story was fully immersive with the Central Asian cultures, lore and magic of distant lands.

“…Until the sands claim us, I am yours.”

[Tom Silverstien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review:
Until the Sand Claims Us is a fresh, unique new adult fantasy romance that hooks you from the beginning. Author Israh Azizi has created an addictive page turner involving a Central Asian-inspired world, complete with flying horse animal companions and a culturally rich desert kingdom.

The female protagonist, Yildiz, is a brave and resilient main character whose faith and dedication make her an incredibly inspiring lead. The male main character, Dayyan, better known as the Prince of Death in the Khatatian Desert, provides the perfect amount of morally grey exhibitions and internal suffering that would pull at all heart strings.

Together, Yildiz and Dayyan create the perfect amount of tension and yearning through their enemies to lover's plight. And what excellent use of plot twists and most readers favorite tropes like arranges marriage and forced proximity to keep the reader eager to find out more. Not to overshadow, however, the palace intrigue which was quite enjoyable.

Highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for an amazing reading experience.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[bookofmandalore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for an honest review.

“They say people recognize one another in this life, even when they have never seen each other before. Because their souls encountered one another prior to the Almighty sending them to the world.”

Until the Sand Claim Us had me hooked since the first page.

The setting, the characters, the political intrigue, and the romance got a hold of me and refused to let go. I finished this book in 2 days.

Dayyan and “Farani” have a true enemies to lovers tale that takes some twists and turns you don’t quite expect. By the end of the story, you see just how much they’ve both been wronged by politics. You can’t help but to root for them by the time the climax comes around.

The politics, the lies, and the upsetting horror of it all really impacted how I later grew to understand the characters involved. The villains of the story got a good serving of justice by the end, but they had me wanting to throw the book at times.

I was so heavily invested in our characters getting out of such a tragic existence. It made the ending so much sweeter when we finally get to the happy ending.

It’s yet another great summer read I’ll highly recommend.

Make sure to heed trigger warnings for SA, torture, etc.

[Lotte (themagicalpageturner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until the sand claims us takes place in a desert Central Asian setting. It was a first for me to read a book with this setting and culture and therefor I found it very refreshing!

Right from the start I loved Yildiz. She has a fighter mentality that was easily recognisable and felt true to my heart. I soon after came to love Dayyan. The way he protects Yildiz speaks to all women's hearts. And the way he yearns for her... 🔥 I felt for him while reading and I hoped throughout the book that the tide would turn for him and that he got everything he ever wanted in his life.

I found the book medium paced, keeping me hooked to the story. And for once, I didn't feel any emotional turmoil. It was a more relaxed read for me and at the same time I missed that emotional connection. It would have brought the story more to life and would have created a deeper layer to the story.

Some plottwists surprised me in a very pleasant way, adding to an intriguing storyline. Overall, this was a very pleasant read.

For me Until the sand claims us is a true 4⭐️ pageturner. This book will be released on the 9th of September! 🧡

Thank you to Netgalley, author @israh_azizi and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Entisar Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an effortless 5-star read that easily felt worthy of even more. Israh Azizi delivers a captivating fantasy romance set in a richly imagined, Central Asian-inspired world filled with desert kingdoms, political intrigue, flying horses, and immersive cultural details. The world-building unfolds naturally, making it easy to become fully invested.
Yildiz is a courageous and resilient heroine whose loyalty and determination shine throughout the story. Forced to impersonate a princess and enter an arranged marriage with the feared Prince of Death, Dayyan, she finds that his ruthless reputation hides a deeply wounded, morally grey man. Their relationship is built on trust, longing, and emotional depth, making the romance far more compelling than a simple enemies-to-lovers story.
With palace scheming, forced proximity, unforgettable characters, and beautifully written yearning, this is an addictive fantasy romance I couldn't put down. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven fantasy with a heartfelt, slow-burning romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and publisher.

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this book, particularly the central Asian inspiration. The Daevabad Trilogy is one of my all time faves, and this book reminded me a lot of it. I enjoyed the characters, even if the two main characters were driving me insane by the end by not communicating their true identities. I know it's meant to draw out the tension, but it drew out my will to live instead.

What I liked: The characterisation of everyone, not just the main characters. Even the side characters, such as Zeki and Delara, had such depth. I also loved the richly imagined setting and the way the glossary was at the front as well as being described in the text (ashkim as a term of endearment, malikeh for queen etc). It felt easy to follow without giving too much away.

What I didn't love: I've said before that if there are no miscommunication haters, I am dead. This still stands. Tell. Him. The. TRUTH. Also, I don't think the epigraphs added to the story.

[Sonderous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yildiz would give her life for Farani as it is her penance to pay at her father’s betrayal. But when the Southern Princess forsakes her duty, Yildiz must take on both her cousin’s name and her betrothed to save her kingdom from ruin. Prince Dayyan is nothing more than a shadow, an executioner bathed in blood and built by orders he cannot ignore. Marriage was the last thing he could have, until the Southern Princess arrived with fire and spirit that chased away his shadows. But nothing can survive the desert between them… can it? In a union built on lies, what truths can their hearts ever tell? What more can they have beyond the sharp edge of a dagger?


“Until the Sand Claims Us” is a Central Asian inspired fantasy following a body-guard disguised as a princess and a prince of death bound to duty. Yildiz has this paradoxical strength and tenderness that makes her an incredibly complex and engaging character to follow. Meanwhile, Dayyan is a certified yearner whose heart draws us in even when his walls are up. I fell in love with this story and the world it took place in. For most of the end, I was in tears because I knew I would have to leave it soon. But, I couldn’t stop until I knew how their tale would end.


An epic slow-burn with a heavy dose of yearning, this novel is equal parts magic, tension, and intrigue. Once you start the story, you easily fall into the world of the Khatatian Desert and its warring kingdoms. The novel was rich in culture and history, going as far to start chapters with excerpts from past princes and princesses. You can get lost in the world, and though it exists currently as a standalone, I would reread this story yearly to return to this world of poets, princes, and pegasi.